Adran Kumar is thankful he heeded his mother’s encouragement to participate in the New Zealand-Fiji Secondary School Essay Competition 2024. The Year 12 student from Sabeto College in Nadi emerged as the top winner of the 16th edition of the contest.
At just 17 years old, he was recognized as one of two outstanding students from the Western Division for his exceptional essay. Adran shared that he almost gave up halfway through his writing process and expressed doubts to his parents about his abilities. He felt overwhelmed by the talent of other students across the country and assumed his efforts would be in vain.
“My mother motivated me not to give up. She kept urging me to finish,” he said. “I am grateful I listened to her.”
The competition saw participation from over 100 secondary schools, with 600 essays submitted. The essay’s theme revolved around the unique approaches of the Pacific region, known as the Pacific Way.
Adran expressed gratitude for the support of his teachers, which he credits for his success. His essay focused on eco-tourism and the importance of preserving the vanua. He believes eco-tourism serves as a platform to showcase Fijian culture, traditions, and the land to both the Pacific and the wider world.
He aspires to study medicine in the future and received a prize of $500 in cash, along with a laptop and a certificate of recognition. Dr. Satendra Singh, one of the judges, praised the high writing standards encountered during the competition, noting that a compelling essay can resonate deeply with readers.
Alex Shahryar-Davies, Deputy High Commissioner of the New Zealand High Commission, expressed pride in supporting the essay competition for 16 consecutive years. He remarked on the wonderful opportunity it provides for students throughout Fiji to express their thoughts through essays, promoting both informative and enjoyable learning experiences. He emphasized the importance of this initiative in fostering ideas that benefit the people of both New Zealand and Fiji.
Certificates of recognition were also awarded to Shresti Devi from Year 11, and Year 13 students Kristina Kavita, Shakshi Chand, and Nitish Chand.
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